Canada Computers - Have they change their policy about buying with credit card?

[darkprince]

Its been a while since i shopped there and i was wondering do they still make you pay for your purchase(s) with cash/debit card and if you try to pay with Visa or any kind of credit cards they' won't give you the promotional price?(In-Store)

I remember buying a buying a pack of dvd's that were on sale for 10.99$ but when i tried to pay for it with Visa they say they had to charge me the regular price of 14.99$. WTH?(In-Store)

But that was couple years ago and i know they have the online shopping & shipping and which allows you to use various type of payment methods without having to pay the regular price on a promotional offer just bc you're using Visa/Credit card.

So do they or do not give you that stupid speech about charging you regular price if you pay with Visa/Credit Card?

[Blackmajik]

Having been there in months but the last time I've been there, they've taken my credit card without saying we have to charge you extra 2% crap or something.

[darkprince]

Having been there in months but the last time I've been there, they've taken my credit card without saying we have to charge you extra 2% crap or something.

Thanks. B/c my visa gives me extra year warranty after the manufacturer's first year.

something that i want to take advantage of is that extra year.

[mississaugarunner]

CC has a ~2-3% surcharge on nearly all products.

There's the occasional sale item that doesn't have the surcharge.

But it's no difference like you mentioned, a spindle of CDs for $10.99 would be $11.29 instead. You're looking at something like 30 cents, not 5 dollars.

And about $2 for every $100, $100 vs $102.

[darkprince]

That's BullSh*t! Why charging me 2-3% more for using my credit card?

and it does make a big difference if I was planning to buy a bunch of parts to build a new computer.

Is there any other computer store that doesn't do this stupid stunt when you try to purchase things with your credit card?
No, Futureshop and Bestbuy are not computer stores for those that you don't already know

[danman227460]

Its simple. They are a smaller chain than FS or BB. They do not nearly generate as much volume as those stores. You know that using Credit/Debit actually costs a company right? They only way they can sort of cover that is by encouraging the customers to use less of them. That is why before some places use to charge you 50cents to use debit, just to cover the fees associated with using them.

You go shop at Tiger Direct if you don't like their policies but Tiger Direct is a much bigger company than CC. They have stores throughout the US and Canada while CC only has them up North.

[Jon Lai]

Its simple. They are a smaller chain than FS or BB. They do not nearly generate as much volume as those stores. You know that using Credit/Debit actually costs a company right? They only way they can sort of cover that is by encouraging the customers to use less of them. That is why before some places use to charge you 50cents to use debit, just to cover the fees associated with using them.

You go shop at Tiger Direct if you don't like their policies but Tiger Direct is a much bigger company than CC. They have stores throughout the US and Canada while CC only has them up North.

+1

Canada Computer's prices do not include overhead. Nearly all computer stores will either not accept credit card or will only accept it if their net profit is the same as if you were to pay via cash.

How else do you think Visa is able to provide you with the additional 1 year of warranty? Precisely because they charge the vendors themselves 2-3% to cover the costs.

NCIX does not charge a credit card surcharge, but if you factor in shipping, shipping time, and the fact that their regular prices are much higher than Canada Computers, it all works out to be around the same. These guys need to make a profit. If they don't charge you a surcharge, you know that the charge will have to be placed somewhere else.

Don't like it? Don't buy it. IMO 2% is a small price to pay for 1 year of extended warranty. Assuming you buy a $1000 computer, that's still just $20. Futureshop will charge you $200+ to extend your warranty by one year.

[darkprince]

I guess i can make my purchase online and just pay the 7$ shipping fee. Have any 1 tried to order stuff from CC or ICCT online or for in-store pick up?


+1

Canada Computer's prices do not include overhead. Nearly all computer stores will either not accept credit card or will only accept it if their net profit is the same as if you were to pay via cash.

How else do you think Visa is able to provide you with the additional 1 year of warranty? Precisely because they charge the vendors themselves 2-3% to cover the costs.

NCIX does not charge a credit card surcharge, but if you factor in shipping, shipping time, and the fact that their regular prices are much higher than Canada Computers, it all works out to be around the same. These guys need to make a profit. If they don't charge you a surcharge, you know that the charge will have to be placed somewhere else.

Don't like it? Don't buy it. IMO 2% is a small price to pay for 1 year of extended warranty. Assuming you buy a $1000 computer, that's still just $20. Futureshop will charge you $200+ to extend your warranty by one year.

[Kasakato]

+1

Canada Computer's prices do not include overhead. Nearly all computer stores will either not accept credit card or will only accept it if their net profit is the same as if you were to pay via cash.

How else do you think Visa is able to provide you with the additional 1 year of warranty? Precisely because they charge the vendors themselves 2-3% to cover the costs.

NCIX does not charge a credit card surcharge, but if you factor in shipping, shipping time, and the fact that their regular prices are much higher than Canada Computers, it all works out to be around the same. These guys need to make a profit. If they don't charge you a surcharge, you know that the charge will have to be placed somewhere else.

Don't like it? Don't buy it. IMO 2% is a small price to pay for 1 year of extended warranty. Assuming you buy a $1000 computer, that's still just $20. Futureshop will charge you $200+ to extend your warranty by one year.

No company out there is allowed to charge extra for using a credit card, it violates all merchant agreements.

[-=Wraith=-]

No company out there is allowed to charge extra for using a credit card, it violates all merchant agreements.

it's not really charging extra for using a CC, it's more like charging less if you use cash

[Jon Lai]

No company out there is allowed to charge extra for using a credit card, it violates all merchant agreements.

It's "surcharge" to the public, "cash discount" to the merchants. I'm just using the terms that people understand best.

[Jon Lai]

I guess i can make my purchase online and just pay the 7$ shipping fee. Have any 1 tried to order stuff from CC or ICCT online or for in-store pick up?

CC does not have "online purchase for instore pickup". I don't see why you would do that - just buy it instore. I've never bought anything online from CC, but I believe they charge the surcharge online or instore (I don't see why it would an exception online) so your logic doesn't quite work.

[Kasakato]

it's not really charging extra for using a CC, it's more like charging less if you use cash

Im pretty sure I see the word "surcharge" in my quote. None of the less, cash discounts are allowed.

[darkprince]

CC does not have "online purchase for instore pickup". I don't see why you would do that - just buy it instore. I've never bought anything online from CC, but I believe they charge the surcharge online or instore (I don't see why it would an exception online) so your logic doesn't quite work.

Well i can use Paypal I can just link my Paypal account with my Credit card. But I am still waiting for confirmation does Paypal qualify for the Promotional Cash Discounts

[coolspot]

Having been there in months but the last time I've been there, they've taken my credit card without saying we have to charge you extra 2% crap or something.

They probably charged you without you realizing it!

[Bskll]

if you guys didn't notice, CC's pricing is always quoted like this:


Everyday Low Price: $209.99

Promotional Cash Price: $204.99


most people pay the second price, and if anyone wants to get on the legality of this, its perfectly legit. They are not charging you more to use your credit card, they are simply giving people discount for using cash or debit.

[Jon Lai]

Well i can use Paypal I can just link my Paypal account with my Credit card. But I am still waiting for confirmation does Paypal qualify for the Promotional Cash Discounts

If your Paypal funds are funded by a bank account, then yes.
If your Paypal funds are funded by a credit card, then no.

And yes, Paypal does know and will find out.

[darkprince]

If your Paypal funds are funded by a bank account, then yes.
If your Paypal funds are funded by a credit card, then no.

And yes, Paypal does know and will find out.

I don't care if PayPal Knows:confused: I am using PayPal as the middle person. Technically I am still paying in cash or whatever according to CC.

You make it sound like I am trying to scam Canada Computers or something. :| I just want the promotional price using my Visa to pay for my purchase.

[Jon Lai]

I don't care if PayPal Knows:confused: I am using PayPal as the middle person. Technically I am still paying in cash or whatever according to CC.

You make it sound like I am trying to scam Canada Computers or something. :| I just want the promotional price using my Visa to pay for my purchase.

No I'm not. My point is, if you paid Paypal with a credit card, Paypal will charge CC 2.9%, and CC will charge you back.

So technically your plan will not work.

[HowEver]

Just shop somewhere else. The policy sucks. I only shop there if I absolutely have to, for this reason and the non-return policy (without coughing up 15% in most cases).


I don't care if PayPal Knows:confused: I am using PayPal as the middle person. Technically I am still paying in cash or whatever according to CC.

You make it sound like I am trying to scam Canada Computers or something. :| I just want the promotional price using my Visa to pay for my purchase.

[peroxide8888]

if you guys didn't notice, CC's pricing is always quoted like this:




most people pay the second price, and if anyone wants to get on the legality of this, its perfectly legit. They are not charging you more to use your credit card, they are simply giving people discount for using cash or debit.




I don't care if PayPal Knows:confused: I am using PayPal as the middle person. Technically I am still paying in cash or whatever according to CC.

You make it sound like I am trying to scam Canada Computers or something. :| I just want the promotional price using my Visa to pay for my purchase.
Take a good look at their site. It's not a just a promotional price, it's a Promotional CASH Price.

The key word is CASH, not promotional.

[Blackmajik]

They probably charged you without you realizing it!

Which is fine because I don't shop there often and no way I'm using my debit card there either. I get a weird feeling every time I used my debit card for some reason there. I can lug in a wallet full of cash but I'll take the 2% increase solely for convenience.

[darkprince]

This is the respond i got:

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5441/asdfkr3.th.jpg (http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=asdfkr3.jpg)http://img87.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

So where would you suggest/recommend shopping for comp parts?

[Snicla]

Canada Computers is probably the only place I actually feel comfortable walking in to to buy computer parts. Their staff is knowledgeable and friendly, and the guy that I've dealt with was really honest and didn't try to push the high end parts on me.

All in all throughout the years you learn that when you pay cash you get a better deal at most places so it's to be expected.

[Jon Lai]

This is the respond i got:

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5441/asdfkr3.th.jpg (http://img87.imageshack.us/my.php?image=asdfkr3.jpg)http://img87.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

So where would you suggest/recommend shopping for comp parts?

Canada Computers.

If you want to build a computer, it's perhaps the only place to go for a one-stop shop. Any other store and you will probably have to walk out missing a few components that you wanted in your build.

What's wrong with paying cash?
Yes, there is the 1 year bonus warranty incentive for paying with your credit card, but the failure rate of computer components is relatively low nowadays. If it is to fail, it will fail within the warranty period, and if not, the extra year won't help as it will most likely fail a lot longer down the road.

Stop being paranoid. If you really want the extra 1 year warranty provided by Visa, pay the extra 2%. Again, Future shop and any other insurance company will charge you a lot more than 2% extra to cover your parts for an extra year.

[Eyies]

Paying extra $20-30 on a $10000 computer is nothing. CC has good prices and you'll save more than that compared to many computer part stores.

Suck it up, or pay cash :P

[coolspot]

Paying extra $20-30 on a $10000 computer is nothing.

Suck it up, or pay cash :P

Actually if you're buying a 10,000 computer, you'll be paying 200 -300.00 in CC fees. That's significant.

[Jon Lai]

Actually if you're buying a 10,000 computer, you'll be paying 200 -300.00 in CC fees. That's significant.

Nobody buys a $10K personal computer. He just typed an extra zero, chill.

[Vashin]

Stop being paranoid. If you really want the extra 1 year warranty provided by Visa, pay the extra 2%. Again, Future shop and any other insurance company will charge you a lot more than 2% extra to cover your parts for an extra year.

I don't really care one way or another but this logic is stupid. Think about it, he will pay with his visa at futureshop, not have to pay the 2% but still get the extra year warranty because he paid with his credit card. So I don't get how it is relevant that the futureshop inhouse warranty will be more expensive than the warranty if bought at canada computers with the visa because the warranty will be from the credit card and not cc.

[Jon Lai]

I don't really care one way or another but this logic is stupid. Think about it, he will pay with his visa at futureshop, not have to pay the 2% but still get the extra year warranty because he paid with his credit card. So I don't get how it is relevant that the futureshop inhouse warranty will be more expensive than the warranty if bought at canada computers with the visa because the warranty will be from the credit card and not cc.

Because:
1) Futureshop doesn't sell computer parts, and
2) Futureshop's prices are higher for similar products, factoring in much more than just the 2%

[ndrew029]

I'm pretty sure that Canada Computers makes very little margin off their products, as is the case with the bix box stores. I don't believe they offer extended warranties and I don't think they really push their repair services, so they're not making much profit there either. The franchise owner probably needs the customer to cover the cc processing costs.

[Impossibles]

Every day I'm amazed when people don't understand the most basic concepts of business.

[gman]

Because:
1) Futureshop doesn't sell computer parts, and
2) Futureshop's prices are higher for similar products, factoring in much more than just the 2%

1) not necessary true because they do sell computer part. Not necessary all computer parts but they do sell computer parts.
2) Correct most of the time.

[mingyang]

stop QQing about 2%

[coolspot]

The franchise owner probably needs the customer to cover the cc processing costs.

The owner is a cheap a** who even cheaps out on their employees!

I heard several stories from ex-employees :|

[coolspot]

Because:
1) Futureshop doesn't sell computer parts, and
2) Futureshop's prices are higher for similar products, factoring in much more than just the 2%


1. Futureshop does sell computer parts.

2. Higher prices are no justification for surcharges: Credit Card processing should be factored into the cost of doing business, hence CC surcharges should just be rolled into the base price.

[Impossibles]

2. Higher prices are no justification for surcharges: Credit Card processing should be factored into the cost of doing business, hence CC surcharges should just be rolled into the base price.

As stated many times before, cc charges are rolled into their base price. They give a discount for cash/debit purchases.

[coolspot]

As stated many times before, cc charges are rolled into their base price. They give a discount for cash/debit purchases.

Semantics.

[Riffer]

Canada Computers is probably the only place I actually feel comfortable walking in to to buy computer parts. Their staff is knowledgeable and friendly, and the guy that I've dealt with was really honest and didn't try to push the high end parts on me.

All in all throughout the years you learn that when you pay cash you get a better deal at most places so it's to be expected.

Yes. On my last build, the only two local places I bothered with were them and Premium Computers Canada.

[Ender2070]

That's BullSh*t! Why charging me 2-3% more for using my credit card?

and it does make a big difference if I was planning to buy a bunch of parts to build a new computer.

Is there any other computer store that doesn't do this stupid stunt when you try to purchase things with your credit card?
No, Futureshop and Bestbuy are not computer stores for those that you don't already know

They are offering the cash/debit discount for users paying by cash or debit. How is that ********. can't read?

[Chew300ZX]

This is the defintion of irony! :idea:

"I will use the method of payment of the 20th century to buy cutting edge 21st century products."

To my knowledge, none of the crappy local computer stores here are foolish enough to have a tiered pricing system based on methods of payment.

[Ender2070]

This is the defintion of irony! :idea:

"I will use the method of payment of the 20th century to buy cutting edge 21st century products."

To my knowledge, none of the crappy local computer stores here are foolish enough to have a tiered pricing system based on methods of payment.

The alternative would be to remove the 3% cash/debit discount and charge everyone regular price.

[ItemFinder]

Why are people so stupid? If you don't want the discount, then pay by credit, otherwise just play by the rules. Theoretically, the retailer could give items away for a brick of gold each. It's the consumer's choice to accept or refuse the offer.

[Menace]

Because people are stupid! How times you see people b1tch about CC? Just go shop at FS/BS.


Why are people so stupid?